Science Policy

Romain Murenzi appointed TWAS Executive Director

Romain Murenzi, a key architect of Rwanda's efforts to devise a successful blueprint for science-based sustainable development after years of civil war and genocide, has been appointed the new executive director of the academy of sciences for the developing world (TWAS). He replaces the Academy's long-time executive director, Mohamed H.A. Hassan, who is retiring.

Romain Murenzi, who was elected a member of TWAS in 2005, has served as vice president of TWAS for Africa. He is also a member of the board of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, on the advisory board of Scientists Without Borders, and on the scientific board of UNESCO's International Basic Science Programme.

TWAS is the world's pre-eminent academy of sciences dedicated to the promotion of science in the South. Launched in 1983 by Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam (physics 1979), TWAS currently has nearly 1,000 members from 90 countries. It oversees a broad range of capacity building programmes. The academy operates under the administrative umbrella of UNESCO.